I haven't been out on the bikes too much lately, we have been working hard in the yard--getting our raised planter boxes built, filled with dirt and planted (can't wait for our own veggies). On top of raking and digging dirt, there is always tree trimming and playing with Jake to fill the days.
One of my newest pleasures/treasures has been to saddle the tag-a-long up to my trusty converted Kestrel town-bike and head out with Jake on some rides around. We've been hitting Partick's Road (just to the base of the first climb) and Stanley lane with Uncle David and Aunt Erin for a treat. It's just quite a feeling to have your 4-1/2 year old so into going for bike rides and looking for lizards...
I should have known the tag-a-long adventures would be beneficial in more ways than one after my mountain bike ride Sunday. After a long weekend working in the yard (Cari and I received and moved 3 yards of topsoil in a day), and after a trip on the tag-a-long with Jake up Particks again (with a stop at the market to enjoy some Odwalla drinks)-it was time to do a little Skyline ride.
Now time is limited, I only had about 1 hour, so I had to drive over to NVC and ride from there. Extra bonus points came from a squeak-free ride thanks to my time spent cleaning and re-lubing the ol' drivetrain and working on my disc brakes.
There was something about the ride, it just felt nice. No sounds from the bike, somehow it just went by. Before I knew it I was past the first painful (for me) climb without noticing really and onto the lake.
Of course, being a paranoid the one thing that did creep into my head for some reason was mountain lion. Being pretty much alone out there only reinforced my delusions, but the only things I saw were turkeys and a sweet baby King Snake.
The ride was just perfect though. Dab free (even upper skyline on the way down) and I just couldn't get over how good I felt.
The thought that entered my mind on the ride (during and after) was how caught up I (we) can get in the parts and weights of the bike. More importantly, I focused on what I was riding and how my goal is to not really think about it when I am riding.
Now don't get me wrong, I love to read about all the new bits, look at pictures and if possible get my good buddy Kirby to buy something new or live vicariously through Steve who always has the newest, lightest gear. But what I started to notice was, damn-my bike's got a lot of old gear on it and it works great!
How old you ask? Let's see:
Shifters-
Shimano 8 Speed XTR that I have been using for 7 years
Rear Derailleur-
Shimano 8 Speed XTR that is also 7 years old
Cranks-
ISIS, Standard ring (46/36/26 I think) Race Face NEXT LP's, bought them 6 years ago to the chagrin of Matt O and Chris K.
Hubs-
Set of King ISO disc I got 5 years ago, just re-lubed
Disc Brakes-
Set I got from Fish at Risse 6 years ago, never re-bled, always squeaking (hmmm....maybe I should fix)
Frame-
2004 Intense Spider, love it
Fork-
2005 F100X (just rebuilt after it blew up), love it
Steve's voice kept creeping into my head on the ride with, "what build kit will you be using on your next bike?"
My answer is exactly what you see above most likely and I'm pretty proud of it too.
Speaks well for dropping more coin on stuff (even if I did get most of it while in the industry)---especially American Made (Chris King, Intense, Thompson).
Overall though, despite the techo-babble, gear BS and all, the most important thing I embraced on the ride (most all of my rides) is just to enjoy the time outdoors and the fact that we do have the opportunity to ride where and how we do.
It's not (all) about the bike fo' sho...
Now, Kirby or Steve, go buy somehting cool so I can lust over it!
Pics to date:
Hiking somewhere in Napa
Jake up a tree
Let's see, pedal, stay on trail, hold camera low, snap pic...well almost!
Lake Marie framed by Intense
Just plain yummy
My "Tam's™" have a long way to go. Can't quite capture the right look...
Baby King Snake...bunny hopped at 15mph saved his life!
Back at the car...
6 comments:
I was just fretting over how my spendy xtr cassette and chainrings are already cooked after a year, and my disc brakes blow. I've had some practice learning to tune out those noises - as a certain local framebuilder says, "turn the radio up!". as long as the bike doesn't completely come apart in the middle of the ride, it's done its job. gotta remember that it's all about the ride, don't sweat the chi-chi stuff. Especially not when you've already emptied your bank account to hang it all over your bike!
The ride is good. Parts are just a bonus!
I still want to come down and ride sometime (when Arden allows).
Thanks for the T-shirt too. She loves it!
Parts are everyhting Ken. You need to upgread all your bikes tomorrow. Make it a great Friday!
Your voodoo won't work on me Kirby...
I'm almost through paying off my credit cards and then my money is going to the Retrotec frame!
The King glory days of employee purchases every week are over for me my friend!
Hey Ken....I can help you out with purchases....after you get your new frame!
Ken, Ken, Ken... you’re not yet strong enough to deflect the consumer that larks inside. Let the buying begin!!!!!
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